Public relations flow from a good heart

Public Relations is the Management Function that establishes and
maintain mutual beneficial relationships between an Organization and the
public on whom its success or failure depends. We live in an age of
dependence. Therefore, all of us rely upon one another for the
satisfaction of our economic, social and spiritual needs.

Today, only a very few people can accomplish their aims without the
help of the others. In this global village, dependence of people at work
and in their social, spiritual lives has increased tremendously, the
importance of public and human relations. There are numerous definitions
on public relations.

Webster's New World Dictionary defines Public Relations as relations
with general public, as through publicity; specially, those functions of
a corporation, organization etc concerned with attempting to create
favourable public opinion for itself.

An indepth study on PR suggests Public Relations is a social
philosophy of management expressed in policies and practices, which
through sensitive interpretation of events based upon two-way
communication with its publics, strives to secure mutual understanding
and goodwill.

Public Relations is composed of four main basic elements. They are
Social Management Philosophy; Expression of this Philosophy in Policy
Relations; Action resulting from these policies and the two-way
communication that contributes of these policies and how it promotes
them to the public.

Public Relations can be considered as an important mass promotion
tool, building good relations with companies, institutions various
publics by obtaining favourable publicity, building, a healthy
co-operate image, crushing unfavourable rumours and events. For example,
if a customer goes to an institution or a government organization to
obtain some services and if they serve them with good performance the
"Receiver of the Service" will transmit a good report to the public. In
short, PR is equal to - GP + GR. Good performance + good reporting. If
the customer is not satisfied its vice versa - Bad Performance + Bad
Reporting.

Therefore, in this competitive business world, a special emphasis
should be laid for the promotion of public relations. Specially up and
coming new business ventures, or any other new establishments should
recruit top officers on a higher managerial level, persons who are
competent on public relations, marketing management.

Once, the Great Indian Prime Minister late Mrs. Indira Gandhi,
mentioned "Public Relations is something that flows from a good heart.
It is an exercise that binds the entire nation." Words of Wisdom!

Public relation exercises is a key in promoting products, people,
places, ideas, activities, institutions, government departments and even
nations. Governments maintain friendly good public relations with
various countries. It's an important image building exercise.

In the business world, an important mass promotion tool is Public
Relations. An institution or a company must interact with various
publics, by obtaining favourable publicity. These institutions must be a
good corporate image, handling, very tactfully unfavourable rumours (Kata
Katha), which can be considered as the most powerful source of
publicity. Once you tarnish your image, it is difficult to regain the
prestige you possessed earlier.

Therefore, business ventures must give "Top Priority" from the start
to serve his customers to best of their satisfaction. They must win the
hearts of the consumers, customers by speaking to them politely in
selling their goods or services. A satisfied customer, will transmit the
good message by word of mouth which is worth more than an advertisement,
in the print or electronic media.

Now, let us analyse briefly the main functions that a Public
Relations Department should perform.

Publicity relating to the product or services by publicizing specific
product or service.

Public Affairs:- Building, maintaining national or local community
relations. Shramadhana, sports activities, social service etc.

Lobbying:- Building and maintaining friendly relations with
legislation and government officials to influence legislation and
regulations.

Investors relations: - Maintaining friendly relationship with
shareholders and others in the business and financial community.

Development - PR with donors, NGO's to gain financial and volunteer
support.

Companies use Public Relations to build good relations with
consumers, investors, media and their communities. It can create a very
powerful impact on public awareness. For example a human interest story
in the print media, which will be published free, will be sometimes more
effective than a stereotyped advertisement which will cost the company.
Of course, image building, creative advertising is very necessary.

Recently an advertisement was carried by AIA Insurance for Vesak. I
presume, it is a commendable advertisement. It is a full page
advertisement depicting showing, a Bo leaf, and how the Bo leaf wither
and decay.

This gives a strong message of impermanence or death in your inner
mind. When one sees this advertisement, one thinks of his or her's life
security. It is a subtle way of giving a strong message on the value of
insurance. The Bo leaves tell the story, rather that thousand words.

What are the major, significant Public Relation Tools?

News - Public Relations Professionals create favourable news about
the company, its products or people.

Public Service Activities - Ways of improving the companies public
goodwill etc.

Further, company's websites can be a good public relation vehicle.

The successful Public Relation action results from sound policies and
management. The institutions, companies, governments are judged by what
they do and not by what they say in their policy statements.

Once, the leading management and public relation expert Paul Farrett
expressed, the conviction that Public Relations is the philosophy of
doing things people like and doing them the way people like and that
doing is more important than saying.

One should remember in the competitive business world, good or
successful public relations, cannot be achieved by delegation of action
to a PRO or PRM and their staff. It is a function of every operating
Department entire staff in manufacturing, marketing and finance.